Woodgrain Steering Wheel Installed
#17
Driver School Candidate
Woodgrain steering wheel
So I finally pulled almost $600 to do the conversion and adding quick release feature/quick lock and I could not be any happier. I first did a QR setup on my previous car 96 Acura ITR and forgot how much of a pain in the @$$ it is to remove a steering wheel without a puller but 30 or so yanks later the steering wheel came off. REMEMBER before trying this, MUST disconnect the battery for at least 3 mins. I waited 5 just in case... the install is pretty easy as veru straight forward. Im doing this to somewhat show how its done for those who dont know and MORE IMPORTANTLY so people know what part number for the short hub must be used because searching didnt yield until I PMed a member that was kind enough to provide that and worked. This is not so much a step by stepy but its fairly easy and youll be able to figure it out. First things first...
Items that will be needed and used..
-NRG Short Hub Toyota/Scion pt. #SRK-120H
-After Market Steering Wheel (I used an NRG Wood Wheel)
-(Optional) Any Gen NRG Quick Release
-(Optional) NRG Quick Lock
-T30 6-star socket/bit
-19mm Socket/Wrench
-Phillips screwdriver
-(If youre weak) Steering wheel puller
-Beers
DISCONNECT BATTERY for 5 mins and the lead off the terminal until you are done removing Airbag... remove the 2 small plastic panels on the side of the steering wheel and use a 6 point star T30 sized bit to loosen them and pull back the 4 screws, then pull out airbag.
Attachment 462876
After that remove the center nut holding steering and ATTEMPT to remove it by hand and yanking it off or use a steering wheel puller. If you have spaghetti arms you might not be able to do this. Then youll have something that looks like a transformers just like this... (NOTE that you will have another blackpart to the clockspring that take 4 small phillips screws to remove)
Attachment 462877
Then take your new NRG parts and stare at all the new shiny parts for a bit
Attachment 462878
Compared size OEM to NRG 330mm wheel (dont mind upsidedown-ness )
Attachment 462879
Attachment 462880
After youre done drooling over the new parts then you line up the steering rod to your hub by LIGHTLY holding the hub against the spindles and driving back and forth to straighten out the wheels. Do not put in all the way into spindels until you are 100% it is lined up, if not you will hate your life for having to pull off that new hub w/o steering wheel on. If this happens you must install hub to quick release to steering wheel and yank it off using your new steering wheel.
Attachment 462881
Then install lined up hub to the spindels using the OEM 19mm bolt with a wrench/socket. (I had already attached bottom part of quick release to hub)
This is what it looks like with a Neochrome QR
Attachment 462882
Then attach new steering wheel and youre good to go!!!
Attachment 462883
Attachment 462884
With the new neochrome Quick Lock...
Attachment 462885
Now if I could find a new wood shift **** for these 1st Gen LS that I could order RIGHT NOW from ANYWHERE!!!
Attachment 462886
If I would like to get anything out if this is a link to ANYWHERE to be able to order a Napolex or wood shift **** compatible with a 1st Gen LS w/ OD!
In conclusion I am EXTREMELY pleased with the results, the steering is nice and sturdy no play/ not loose watsoever. I can turn faster with a smaller radius steering wheel and get more clear view of cluster and over the dash. The grip is very smooth and it has ridges in the back on the wheel for better grip. Yea theres no Airbag now but beauty is pain!!! Horn will be re installed with a spring loaded switch on the side of the steering column. I hope some you guys find this useful. Thanks for looking and enjoy, I already am!!!
Items that will be needed and used..
-NRG Short Hub Toyota/Scion pt. #SRK-120H
-After Market Steering Wheel (I used an NRG Wood Wheel)
-(Optional) Any Gen NRG Quick Release
-(Optional) NRG Quick Lock
-T30 6-star socket/bit
-19mm Socket/Wrench
-Phillips screwdriver
-(If youre weak) Steering wheel puller
-Beers
DISCONNECT BATTERY for 5 mins and the lead off the terminal until you are done removing Airbag... remove the 2 small plastic panels on the side of the steering wheel and use a 6 point star T30 sized bit to loosen them and pull back the 4 screws, then pull out airbag.
Attachment 462876
After that remove the center nut holding steering and ATTEMPT to remove it by hand and yanking it off or use a steering wheel puller. If you have spaghetti arms you might not be able to do this. Then youll have something that looks like a transformers just like this... (NOTE that you will have another blackpart to the clockspring that take 4 small phillips screws to remove)
Attachment 462877
Then take your new NRG parts and stare at all the new shiny parts for a bit
Attachment 462878
Compared size OEM to NRG 330mm wheel (dont mind upsidedown-ness )
Attachment 462879
Attachment 462880
After youre done drooling over the new parts then you line up the steering rod to your hub by LIGHTLY holding the hub against the spindles and driving back and forth to straighten out the wheels. Do not put in all the way into spindels until you are 100% it is lined up, if not you will hate your life for having to pull off that new hub w/o steering wheel on. If this happens you must install hub to quick release to steering wheel and yank it off using your new steering wheel.
Attachment 462881
Then install lined up hub to the spindels using the OEM 19mm bolt with a wrench/socket. (I had already attached bottom part of quick release to hub)
This is what it looks like with a Neochrome QR
Attachment 462882
Then attach new steering wheel and youre good to go!!!
Attachment 462883
Attachment 462884
With the new neochrome Quick Lock...
Attachment 462885
Now if I could find a new wood shift **** for these 1st Gen LS that I could order RIGHT NOW from ANYWHERE!!!
Attachment 462886
If I would like to get anything out if this is a link to ANYWHERE to be able to order a Napolex or wood shift **** compatible with a 1st Gen LS w/ OD!
In conclusion I am EXTREMELY pleased with the results, the steering is nice and sturdy no play/ not loose watsoever. I can turn faster with a smaller radius steering wheel and get more clear view of cluster and over the dash. The grip is very smooth and it has ridges in the back on the wheel for better grip. Yea theres no Airbag now but beauty is pain!!! Horn will be re installed with a spring loaded switch on the side of the steering column. I hope some you guys find this useful. Thanks for looking and enjoy, I already am!!!
does the tilt away still works when u put the key in the ignition and remove?.
#18
Intermediate
At first I thought it looked better stock. I didn't like the smaller wheel. But then after taking a second look I like it. Mean looking. Can't get over how modern these cars look inside and out especially with a little love and customization.
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kendre
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
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04-27-06 02:13 PM